Leading-in wire detecting apparatus



April 17, 1951 E. DILTS LEADING-IN WIRE DETECTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 21, 1948 8 a W U WMAQ, 6 LIT ,4 IIHHU 0 In w j Z 2 1 &MW I- E/ Line April 17, 1951 m -rs 2,549,296

' LEADING-IN WIRE DETECTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 21, @948 5 Sheets-Sheeb 2 ITWVGTFE'OT'I Lee E. DiL=ks b KM?! f 4. .4 H H15 A k korneg.

Patented Apr. 17, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEADIN WIRE DETECTING APPARATUS Lee;E..Dilts, South Euclid, Ohio, assignor'to-General Electric. Company, a corporation. 01. New

York

Applic'ation'September 21, 1'948, Serial- N 050,423

part'ofmy application Serial No. 680,955, filed July 2; 1946 and assigned to the present assignee, and now abandoned.

I-he stem-making functions'oi the usual stemmaking apparatus areperformed byportions of theapparatus located at a series-of- Work stations into which work-carrying headsthereof are indexed in turn and are initiated particularly by the feeding of the leading-in Wires, the exhaust tube and other stem parts which take place in that sequence. The-course of travel of the heads is such that the leading-in wires are fed into tubular-holders-thereof at certain Work stations and that subsequent movements of the heads carry thenrbefore other apparatus which feeds exhaust tubes and other lamp parts thereto,- and thento still other apparatus which develops-these parts into stems of the desired-character. The improper functioning of any of the feeding or other apparatus results in a loss in production, manufacture ofdefective stems and wastage ofthe materials used in such stems.

One object of my invention is to provide apparatus for determining the presence or absence of leading-in wires in a movable Work-carrying head of a stem machine in the course of the movement thereof through work stations. A further object of my invention is to provide leadingin wire finding apparatusof a character which can be used in combination with certain other apparatus at work stations of a stem machine, thereby permitting the more advantageo-ususe of said stations.

.A still further object of my invention is: to. provide apparatus fordetecting leading-in; wires in a work-carrying. head of a sternmachine, which apparatus is particularly adaptedlto detect aslmany as three of said leading-in wires. Still another object of. my invention. is: to provide detecting. apparatus of the type hereinbefore .referred towhich-isreadily converted to function properlyt'irr the detectingof. difierent numbersof 1eading.-in.wires.and effect an alarmand/or control automatically on the-basis of said findings;

The. leading-in wiredetecting apparatus per-- mits the improper operation of automatic feed,- ingrapparatusg to be discovered, thereby allowing 5 the condition resulting in said improper operatiouv tobe; looked into: and corrected. The considerable: lossv of material, production, etc; re-- suitin from, the otherwise; continued operation; of the stem-making; apparatus: until improper operation is discovered is thereby avoided.

Another object of my invention is to provide; apparatus operable upon the determination .ofthe presence or, absence of a leading-in wirein a movabie head of, a. stem machine to control the operation of anotherportion (the exhaust tube feeding-portion; for. instance)- of the stem. machine. The control afforded bythe apparatus can be introduced following the determinationof theabsence-of any one of the leading-in wiresto prevent the feeding of an exhaust, tube to: the headand thereby prevent the loss involved in incorporating said tube in a; defective stem.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear fromthe following detailed description ofspecies thereof and from the drawing.v

In the drawing,.Fig. 1 is, a perspective view or" leading-in wire positioning and detecting-apparatus of my invention, which apparatus is located at three ofthe workstations aboutastem machine and is shown in combination with the headof said machine occupying the. latter of said work stations Fig. 2 is a wiring diagramzof. the electrical elements, of said apparatus; Figs. 3 and/l are end andside elevations, respectively, of the portion of exhausttubefeeding apparatus controlled by the apparatus; Fig; 5 is a perspecintora head I, like that. shownat station C, of the stem. machine durin the course of its travel through these work stations in-turn and are;re.-

ceived by;;po rtions: or the; stem-head l whichihold them in properspaced relation during theiurther stem-makin operations: of said. machine-.1 When the. stem head. i. is: advancedaintostationzAtiir already contains a vitreous flare or stem tube 2 which is so positioned within the head i as to pass between the upper and lOWer guides 3 and 4 respectively of my apparatus. The upper and lower guides 3 and 4 are attached to the brackets and B, respectively, mounted on the stationary post i extending from the frame (not shown) of the stern machine and assist in keeping the leading-in wire 8 introduced at station A in its proper place in the stem head i. The upper and lower guides 3 and 4 lie to the near side (as viewed in Fig. 1) of the stem tube 2 at station A and gradually transverse the course of travel of the stem tube 2 to the opposite side thereof at station B so as to push the leading-in wire 9 as far to that side as possible during movement of the stem head I. A second leading-in wire 9 is introduced in the stem head i at station B, in this instance on the near side of the upper and lower guides 3 and 4.

The leading-in wires 8 and 9 are preferably fed into the stem head i by automatically operated apparatus of the type disclosed in United States Patent 2,042,520, J. Flaws, Jr., issued June 2, 1936, during the rest periods of the stem head I which takes an indexing course of movement through the work stations. The stem heads i, which conform closely with those of the stem machine disclosed in United States Patent 1,655,141, J. T. Fagan et al., issued January 3, 1928, hold the stem tube 2 by means of the jaws l9 and l i, and the leading-in wires 8 and. 9 which extend through said stem tube 2 by means of separate tubular holders l2 and H3. The adjustable rods !4 and I5 which extend almost the full .the leading-in wires 8 and 9 upon completion of the stem so as to permit the ready removal thereof from the head I. In the course of the movement of the stem head l to station C, the leading-in wires 8 and 9 first pass into engagement with widened portions of the guides 3 and 4 and then engage a section of guide 3 formed by the spreading fingers 20 and 2! and a section of guide 4 formed by the spreading fingers 22 and 23 and contact fingers 24 and 25, with the result that the leading-in wires 8 and 9 are pushed against the inner walls of the stem tube 2 and are under a constant pressure of engagement. In this position a complete electrical circuit is formed through spreading finger 29 which is insulated from guide 3, a mid-portion of leading-in Wire 8, contact finger 24 which is connected to guide 4, guide 4, contact finger 25, a mid-portion of leading-in wire 9 and spreading finger 2!, which circuit is tested when the stem head 5 reaches station C to determine the presence of both leading-in wires or the absence of at least one of them. The ends of the spreading fingers 29 and 2! are wrapped with an insulating tape before being attached to the guide 3 by the clamping block 26 and are, therefore, insulated therefrom, whereas the contact fingers 24 and 25 are fastened directly to guide 4 by the clamping block 21 and are therefore connected together electrically by said guide 4.

In the present instance the circuit through the leading-in wires 8 and 9 is tested through electrical connections made to the spreading fingers 29 and 21 by the contact brushes 28 and 29 which are mounted on the insulating block 39, and which are carried into contact therewith by movement of said block 39, the support rod 3| therefor, and the lever 32. The movement of the contact brushes 28 and 29 occurs immediately after the stem head I takes station C in order to allow as full utilization of the period the head I is located at said station C as possible and is initiated by V the main driving mechanism (not shown) of the stem machine through rotation of the shaft 33 and movement of the arm 34 and link 35 which turn the lever 32 about the stationary pivot pin 39. In this particular instance, the connection to the main driving mechanism of the stem machine is indirect, the connection being made through the shaft 33, which is also the means of causing the burners (not shown) of the stem machine to be brought into operative relation to stem parts and the stem head I at a succeeding work station thereof. The pivot pin 36 is supported from the frame of the stem machine through the bracket 31 and the vertical post 38.

In other instances, the circuit through the leading-in wires 8 and 9 can be tested by means permanently connected to the fingers 20 and 2| of guide 3 at a position just ahead of work station C. In such instances, wires (not shown), which are connected in the electrical testing apparatus shown in Fig. 2 in the place of contact brushes 28 and 23, are attached to the ends of the fingers 29 and 2| adjacent the clamping block 25 and extend upward between the paths of movement of the wires 8 and 9 to said electrical testing apparatus. This particular manner of making electrical connections between a guide for the leading-in wires 8 and 9 corresponds to the electrical testing apparatus shown in detail in the modification of the leading-in wire finding apparatus shown in Figs. 5, 6, and '7.

In still other instances, the guide 4 can be dispensed with and the holders l2 and I3 and the associated means of the stem head i can be relied upon to maintain the electrical connection-between the leading-in wires 8 and 9 through said holders I2 and 13.

The electrical test circuit presently completed by the contact brushes 28 and 29 is made through their wired connections to the relay 39 and the line source of low voltage electric current, as shown in the wiring diagram in Fig. 2. Normal operating conditions, wherein both leading-in wires 8 and 9 are in place in the stem head I and the test circuit established through them is complete, result in the armature of the relay 39 taking the position shown. Abnormal operating conditions, wherein one or both leadingin wires 8 and 9 are missing from the stem head i and the test circuit is incomplete, have no result in the relay 39 which allows its armature to remain in a position opposite to that shown.

The presence of both leading-in wires 8 and 9 in the stem head and the correspondingly complete condition of the test circuit indicates the proper operation of the machine and particularly the proper operation of the leading-in wire feeding mechanism hereinbefore referred to and located adjacent work stations A and B. Improper operation of the leading-in wire feeding mechanism ordinarily cannot be corrected without manual attention to said mechanism, the need of which is indicated by the lighting of the incandescent lamp 49 (Fig. 2) in one of the sup- 5. plez'nental circuits controlledby the test circuit-.5 Should the stem head I- be without one-f the leading-in wires-8- or 9, the test circuit will be.

other portions of the stem machine. The

primary of transformer 43 is also connected to thelineand provides the source of electric current of the proper characteristics for the supplemental circuit.

Should the stem head I beproperly provided with the leading-in wires 8. and 9, the test circuit will be completed during the cycle of op-- eration and the armature of. the relay 39. will be. carried against contact 44. so that the second supplemental circuit including said armature, contact 44, the solenoid 45 and the secondary of the transformer 43, will be complete. In such instances, the. closing. of the switch 42' during its regular cycle of operation cannot cause the indicator light 40 to be. lighted since the. armature of the relay 39 is in the position shownand out-of engagement with the contact 4|. The second supplemental circuit is used to control,

through the actions of the solenoid 45, the ex.-v

haust; tube feeding. mechanism. located adjacentstation C to avoid the feeding of an exhaust tube 46;, like that shown. in the. stem head I in Fig. 1, in instances where it would be added to an incomplete stem assembly. A' stem head I holding. the incorrect number of leading-in wires is allowedto continue its course-of movement through the work stations. of the stem machine and accordingly completes its present, cycle of operation without contributing to the manufacture of a perfectstem. Feeding an exhaust tube 45- to a stem head I containingwthe incorrect number of leading-in Wires 8 and 9- would result.

only inthe wasting of said ,tub,e;46.,

Thefeeding operations necessary to place the. exhausttube 45 inthe stemhead I inpthe present;

instance follow very closely those-disclosed; in United States Patent 1,655,141, J. ,T. Fagan et al.,

issued January 3,1928, and the mechanism for:

The exhaust tube 46 is contained with others;

in a hopper of such feeding mechanism-and immediately after thepresence of the leading-in wires 8 and 9 is ascertained by my apparatus, the tube 46 is separatedfrom the others 311dgt1fl1'15- ferred to the stem head I. The control-eftected bythe solenoid 45 is brought about through-the; feeding mechanism associated with the hopper;

41 of the present exhaust tube-feeding mechanism disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4 which supports the available supply of exhaust tubes 46 ;;in' a parallel arrangement in a pile resting on the inclined rails 48 on the-opposite sides of said hopper 41-. The force of gravity causes theexhaust tubes 46 to roll down theinclinedrails 48 into-engage ment with the arms 49 whichare sospacedfromsaid rails 48 as to block all but the rowofexhaust tubes 46- resting directly thereon and thento pass:

farther downthe rails 43-110 engagement with the tampe s :on. er esrcnd neell;.cranks .51.. at:

oppositesides or the hopper 1 4 1; The release of exhaust tubes 46 from the hopper 41, which is mounted on the-stationary support rods 52 and 53; occurs with a-counterclockwiserotation (as viewed in Fig. 3) of the operating rod 54 in each cycle of operation of the feeding mechanism produced by means (not shown) actuated from the main drive apparatus of the stem machine, and.

engaging the arm 55 and operating rod 54.. The rotation of therod 54 only occurs at times when the control portion of my apparatus: indicates. both leading-in wires 8 and 9 are inplace in the stem-head I by causing the solenoid '45 toshift itsarmature and unblock the mechanism. Thesolenoid is mounted on the side of the hopper; 41 and is connected through its: armature and: pin 51 tothe blocking rod 58: which normally takes a position over the head of. the pin 59' in the arm 60 attached-to the operating rod 54 becauseof the expansion force of spring 6| so that the arm 60 and operating rod 54 cannot.

moveas desired. The actuation of the armature 56. of the solenoid 45 causes the blocking rod 58' to be withdrawn into the boss 62 on the sidev of the hopper 41, in which it is held. so that the movement of the arm 60and operating rod 54 can occur.

In operation, the operating rod 54 moves the arms 49 forward. against the piled exhaust tubes 4-3 causing them to be agitated and to fall behind: succeeding. exhaust tubes 46 inthe regular course 1. turn: about the pivot pins 65 held by the ho per sides-so thatstop bars-50 are withdrawnfrom. the path of movement of the exhaust tubes 46'. and

stop-bars 66: areraised into said path farther therealong. The bell cranks 5I are biased by the,

springst? which also engage an ear on the h0p-- per side and swing back to their former position (that in which they are shown in Figs. 3 and 4) asthe operating rod 54 and arms 49- are imme--- diately returned to their former position. This latter motion of the bell crank 5I introducesthe stcpzbars 50 after the endmost exhaust tube 45 in. the advancing column so as to separate it fromthe others and then withdraws thestop bars tfizfrom in front of said exhaust tube46, allowing it to; roll down the incline-rails4fl tothe lip 68- at the end. From this position the exhaust tube- 43: iscarried into the stem head I'by transferring mechanism (not shown) which is disclosed in combination with the stem machine in United States Patent 1,655,141 hereinbefore-referred to.

The exhaust tube 46 takes a position within thestem tube 2 and between the spreading fingers 20-.and '2I, spreading fingers 22 and 23, contact fingers 24 and 25, andthe two pairs of jaws 69, 19.; and II, 12 of the stem head I which are then closed on said exhausttube 46, as shown, to hold itin place in the stem head I.

The transferring mechanismwithdraws from operative relation to-the stem l and the contact brushes 28 and 29 are swung back from engagement with the spreading fingersZIl. and 2|, thereby completing the cycle of;

operation of the apparatus at station C and allowing: the stem head I to be indexed toa succeeding-station in its regular course of movement.

the stem head I through the stations A, B' and (kabout the stem machine and is'repeated-inthe described. manner. the regularcourse ofsthe immediately advancement of other stem heads I of the stem machine through said stations. The operation of the leading-in wire and exhaust tube feeding mechanism also at these work stations repeats without interference from the control apparatus except as herein described.

The modification of my leading-in wire detecting apparatus appearingin Figs. 5, 6 and 7 differs from the previously described apparatus in that a shorter guide 3 is provided along the path of movement of the head (not shown) of the stem machine and in that said guide 3 is positioned so as to be wiped by upper end portions of the three leading-in wires 8, 9 and 13. The guide 3, which extends from a position adjacent station D to a position including station E, cupies such a limited space that it is located out of the normal positions of other mechanisms of the stem machine and permits the fullest use of the work stations thereof. As with the previously described modification, the function of the apparatus is to ascertain the prope operation of automatic leading-in wire feeding apparatus located at work stations taken by the head of the stem machine just prior to engagement with the detecting apparatus, and it effects a control over mechanisms of the stem machine occuying stations taken by the head following engagement with said detecting apparatus. The effect of the detecting apparatus is to cause an interruption in subsequently occurring operations of the stem machine should one or more of the three leading-in wires 8', 9' and E3 be missing from the stem head at the time it takes station E.

The proper operation of the guide 3' is dependent on the leading-in wires 8, 9' and 13 being at respective locations in the stem head so that the upper end portions thereof wipe respective portions of the guide 3'. In the present combination of apparatus the positions of the leading-in wires 8', 9' and 13 are established by the holder I2 and the rest member M of the stem head, the holder E2 of which is apertured to accommodate the leading-in wires 8, 9 and 13 in holes therein and fixes their relative lateral spacing whereas the rest It establishes their vertical position. The stem head also supports a vitreous stem tube 2 which surrounds a mid-portion of the leading-in wires 8, 9' and I3 and which is, in the course of manufacture, fused around portions thereof. The leading-in wires 8 and 9' in particular, which correspond to leading-in wires 8 and 9 shown in Fig. 1, have positions directly opposite each other adjacent the inner walls of the stem tube 2 and are somewhat separated from the third leading-in wire F3, which is located adjacent a portion of the inner wall of said stem tube 2 mid-wa therebetween. Inasmuch as the leading-in wires 8 and 9' are equally spaced on either side of the center of the stem tube 2, they engage, during the initial movements of the stem head from work station D, the rounded ends of the spreading fingers i4 and 15 of the guide 3 and pass to opposite sides thereof. The leading-in wire 13, on the other hand, passes between the spreading fingers M and 15 and does not immediately engage any portion of the guide 3. A further movement of the stem head I carries the leading-in wires 8, 9 and 13 below the angular arm 16 which extends laterally to a stationary support member I! overhanging the outer periphery of the stem machine and which fixes the position of said guide 3.

Still further along in the movement of the stem head, the leading-in wires 8' and 9' pass across the block '18 of electrical insulation material comprising an intermediate section of the guide 3 and then wipe against respective metal contact fingers l9 and 80. of insulation material accommodates the upper end of the leading-in wire 13 during said movement, which is complete when station E is reached and the upper end of said leading-in wire 13 is caught behind the end'of a contact 82 rotruding downward into said channel 8|. This manner of engagement with the leading-in wires 8', 9 and 13 provides separate electrical connections to each of said leading-in wires 8, 9' and 13 inasmuch as the contact fingers l9 and and contact 82 are fastened separately to the insulating block 18. A very satisfactory connection is made to the leading-in wires in each instance in that the contact fingers I9 and 80 are flared both outwardly and upwardly so as to exert pressure against the leading-in wires 8' and 9 which bends them over the flare 2' and in that the contact 82 blocks movement of the upper end of the leading-in wire 13 during the final movement of the stem head, causing said leading-in wire 13 to be correspondingly flexed over the flare 2. A satisfactory electrical connection is also made by the supporting parts [2 and l 4' of the stem head to the lower portions of the leading-in wires 8', 9' and 13 at such times. The separate circuits formed between the contact fingers I9 and 88, and contact 82 and the stem head through the leading-in wires 8, 9' and 13, indicate by their completeness the presence of said leading-in wires 8', 9' and 73 and are tested to effect the controls already specified.

In the present combination of apparatus the test circuits through the leading-in wires 8, 9 and 13, which ascertain the presence or absence of the leading-in wires 8, 9 and 13, preferably cause operation of control relays indirectly by means of vacuum tube relays as shown associated with the apparatus in Fig. 5, but can be modified by removal of the vacuum tube relays so that the control relays are operated directly as in the combination of the electrical testing means in Fig. 2.

The electrical connections made to the leadingin wires 8', 9' and 13 in the combination of apparatus appearing in Fig. 5 provide for the test of a series circuit through leading-in wires 8 and 9' and a separate circuit through the leading-in wire 13. In this combination, the absence of either leading-in wire 8' or 9' breaks the series circuit which includes that portion of the stem head joining said leading-in wires 8' and 9 and effects a controlling influence over the Vacuum tube relay 83 which is connected to the contact fingers 19 and 80 through the wires 84 and 85, respectively. The absence of leading-in wire 13, on the other hand, effects a controlling influence over the vacuum tube relay 86 which is connected through wire 81 to contact 82 and through wire 88 to the grounded frame of the stem machine, which is in effect the stem head. Both vacuum tube relays 83 and 86, which are sometimes referred to as contact amplifiers, are arranged to cause actuation of respective magnetic relays 89 or 98 at the moment control is to be effected, and through operation of said magnetic relays 89 and 90, which are arranged in series, make an energizing circuit to the control solenoid 39.

The testing function of the apparatus occurs after the stem head comes to rest at station E and is initiated by the closing movement of the switch 9|, which corresponds to switch 42 in the A channel 8| in the block 18" "testing apparatus disclosed in Fig. 2, in that it is operated during a particular moment in the course of operation of the stem machine, either by the cam 92 on the main drive shaft of said machine, or by some other part thereof having the required period of operation. The switch N forms a master control of the source of electrical energy supplied to the magnetic relays 89 and 90, as it is connected through wires 93 and 94 to one side of the secondary of the transformer '95 and through wires 99 and 91 to the actuating coils of said magnetic relays 89 and 90, respectively. The circuits between the opposite side of the secondary of the transformer 95, the primary of which is connected through wires 98 and 99 to the main line source of electrical energy, and the actuating coils of the magnetic relays 89 and 99, is madev through the wires I00, IOI and 102, the respective vacuum tube relays 83 and 86, and the respective wires I03 and I 04. The vacuum tube relays 83 and 86, which have a nor- 'mally open condition, are actuated by the pres- -vence of the leading-in Wires 8', 9' and I3 in engagement with the contacts I9, 90 and 82 and, in the case of relay :83, complete the circuit be tween wires I02 and I03 to thea-ctuatingcoil of magnetic relay,.89,'and, in the case of relay 86, complete the circuititbetween wires I02 .and I04 to the actuating coil of magnetic relay 90. The actuation of either magnetic relay 80 or90 causes the'respective control arm I05 or I09 thereof to be moved into engagement with a cooperating stationary contact I01 or I08. However, both magnetic relays 89 and 90 mustbe actuated to cause the energization of the control solenoid 39, as the contact arms I05 and I06 are arranged in a series connection-by thewires I09, IIII,v I II and I to the transformer 95, the source of electrical energy. A permanent connection made by Wires H2 and 94 completes, the connections to the control solenoid 39 which,.as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, unblocks the operating means of the exhaust tube feeding mechanism when it is en-.

ergized so that the normaloperations thereof can occur. As previously described, the solenoid 39 could, if required,,be used to control any of the subsequently occurring operations of the stem machine. v

In instances when either'leading-in wire 8' or .9 is not present in the stem head, the .vacuum tube relay B3 does not complete the circuit through wire I03 to the actuating coil ofthe magneticrelay'SB and the contactarm I remains out of engagement with the stationary contact IIII. No current can pass through wire 109 to the control solenoid 39 under the above conditions and thearmature'of said control solenoid 39 remains ina position where it blocks operation of theactuatingmeans of theexhaust tube feeding jmechanism. On the other hand, when the leading-in wire .13 is not present in the stem head, the vacuum tube relay 86 does not complete the 'circuit through Wire I04 to the actuating coil of the magnetic relay-90 and the contact arm I06 remains out of engagement with the stationary contact I08. .tions, the current supply circuit through wires 1 Iii-and III to themagnetic relay 89 isnot com- .plete and the operation of .said magnetic relay -89.-has no energizing-effect on the control solenoid 39 which remains in its'blocking position.

The vacuum tube relays 83 and 85 arepreferably-those controlled by a triode valve wherein the valve is normally non-conducting and is rendered conductingbythe -:establishment of the Under these condi-,

continuity of a grid circuit. Such a relay, as well haust tube feeding mechanism. In the present instance this improperly timed operation cannot occur as a holding circuit is established by each of said. magnetic relays 89 and 90. The holding circuit associated with the magnetic relay 89 comprises the contact arm I I3 and'cooperating contact II thereof'and the Wires H5, H6, .III- and I00, all of which provide for the continuous energization of' the actuating coil of said relay-89 once the circuit thereto is established through the vacuum tube relay 83. The holding circuit associated with the magnetic relay 90 comprises the contact arm II"! and the cooperating contact IIB thereof and the wires II9, I20, III and I00.

The return of the electrical test apparatus to its initial starting positionoccurs when the switch BI is actuated at the end of the operating period of the stem head at Work station E and breaks the opposite current supply connection to the actuating coils of the magnetic relays 89 and 90. The apparatus is then in "position to complete another cycle of operation like that described.

The leading-in wire detecting apparatus vdis closed in Fig. 5 includes means which permit it to be readily adjusted, without permanent rearrangement, to function properly with the stem head when a stem having two leading-in wires corresponding to leading-in wires 8' and 9' is being manufactured. The above-referred to means consists of the switch IZI in the current ,supply'leads' I22 v.and I23 of the Vacuum, tube relay 89 and the switch I24 shunting the-main control contact arm I09 and associated contact I08 of the magnetic relay 90. The switch I2! permits the current supply to be cut off from the vacuum tube relay 39' which is infiuencedby the leading-in wire I3 and contact 82, whereas switch I24 permits the magnetic relay 90 to be shunted so that magnetic relay 89 alone is responsible for operation of the control solenoid 39. The current supply leads I25 and I26 to the vacuum tube relay 83 and the corresponding leads 98 and 90, to the transformer continue to function in the above arrangement of apparatus, thereby permitting that portion thereof associated with contact fingers l9 and 80 and leading-in wires 8 and 9- to function as previously described. Although preferred embodiments of my invention have been disclosed, it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction and arrangement of parts IShOWIl'llOI to the particular system of connections shown, but that they may be widely modified within the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by; Letters Patent of the United States is: 1 1. In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head which is indexed to a plurality of stations and which comprises means for holding a stem tube and leading-in wire means; extending longitudinally through said stem tube, apparatus for feeding an exhaust tube to :saidhead, apparatus for determining the presence or absence of leading-in .wire means in said head and for accordingly controlling the operationof the exhaust tube feeding means comprising guide means extending along a portion of the path of movement of said head, contact means on said guide means adjacent its terminal end and engageable by said leading-in wire means, and means to electrically connect said leading-in wire means through said contact means in an electrical test circuit including means for controlling the operation of said exhaust tube feeding means in accordance with the presence or absence of leading-in wire means in said head.

2. In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head which is indexed to a plurality of stations and which comprises means for holding a stern tube and means for holding and making electrical connection to leading-in wire means extending longitudinally through said stem tube, apparatus for determining the presence or absence of leading-in wire means in said head comprising guide means extending along a portion of the path of movement of said head, contact means on said guide means adjacent its terminal end and engageable by said; leading-in wire means, and means to electrically connect said leading-in wire means through said contact means and said head in an electrical test circuit including means for determining the continuity of said circuit.

3. In combination with stern-making apparatus having a movable head for holding a leading-in, wire, apparatus for indicating the presence of the leading-in wire comprising a guide located in the path of movement of and electrically insulated from the head having a projecting contact portion adapted to momentarily catch and make an electrical connection to a portion of the leading-in wire therein, means engaging another portion of the leading-in wire, and means to electrically connect the leading-in wire through the last-mentioned means and the said contact portion in an electrical test circuit including means for determining the continuity of said circuit.

4. In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head for holding in spaced parallel relation a plurality of leading-in wires, apparatus for determining the presence of the leading-in wires comprising a guide located at a testing station along the path of movement of the head in a position to be engaged by portions of each of the leading-in wires, the guide having separated portions electrically insulated from each other for making an electrica1 connection to each of the leading-in wires during the dwell of said head at said testing station, means engaging and making an electrical connection to another portion of each of the leadingin wires at least during the dwell of said head at the testing station, and means to electrically connect said leading-in wires through the last-mentioned means and the separated portions of the guide in electrical test circuits ineluding means for determining the continuity of the circuits therebetween by virtue of the presence of all the leading-in wires or the absence of at least one of them.

5. In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head for holding in spaced parallel relation a plurality of leading-in wires including a pair of outermost wires and a third wire located between said pair of wires, apparap tus for determining the presence of the leadingin wires comprising a guide located along the path of movement of the head in a position to be engaged by portions of each of the leading-in wires, the guide having separated contact portions electrically insulated from each other and flared outward from the path of movement so as to be wiped by and make an electrical connection to each of the outermost leading-in wires and having an intermediate contact portion electrically insulated from the other portions adapted to be engagedby a third leading-in wire located between the other leading-in wires for making an electrical connection thereto, means engaging and making an electrical connection to anotherportion of each of the leading-in wires, and means to electrically connect said leading-in wires through the last-mentioned means and the contact portions of the guide in electrical test circuits including means for determining the continuity of the circuits therebetween by virtue of the presence of all the leading-in wires or the absence of at least one of them.

6. In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head for holding in spaced relation a plurality of leading-in wires including a pair of outermost wires and a third wire located between said pair of wires, apparatus for determining the presence of the leading-in wires comprising a guide located along the path of movement of the head in a position to be engaged by portions of each of the leading-in wires, the guide having separated contact portions electrically insulated from each other and flared outward from the path of movement so as to be wiped by and make an electrical connection to each of the outermost leading-in wires and having an intermediate contact portion electrically insulated from the other portions adapted to be engaged by a third leading-in wire located between the other leading-in wires for making an electrical connection thereto, means engaging and making a common electrical connection to other portions of the leading-in wires, and an electrical test circuit having one branch including the outermost leading-in wires in series and having another branch including the third leading-in wire, said test circuit also including means for determining the continuity of the circuit by virtue of the presence of all three leading-in wires or the absence of at least one of said outermost Wires or the third wire.

7. In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head which is indexed to a plurality of stations and which comprises means for holding a stem tube vertically and three leading-in wires extending vertically through said stem tube in spaced parallel relationship with one of said wires intermediate a pair of outermost wires, apparatus for determining the presence of the leading-in wires in said head comprising a guide extending along a portion of the path of movement of said head, said guide providing outer surfaces engaged by the upper ends of the outermost pair of said leading-in wires and terminating in contact members insulated from each other, said guide further providing a channel portion to receive the upper end of the intermediate leading-in wire and having adjacent its terminal end an intermediate contact member projecting downwardly into said channel to engage the said intermediate wire, and means to electrically connect said leading-in wires through said contact members in electrical test circuits including means for determining the continuity of the circuits.

8.In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head for holding a pair of leading-in wires, apparatus for indicating the presence of both or absence of at least one of the i l'eading-in wires in the head' :comprisin'ga guide located along the path of movement of the head in a position to be located between portions of the leading-in 'wires and to be'wiped thereby during said movement, apair of spaced insulated conductive members constituting terminal portions of said guide and'engageable by said wires, means engaging and electrically inter-connecting other portions of 'said leading-in wires, and means to electrically connect 'saidileading-in wires through said'conductive members in an "electrical test circuit including means for determining the continuity of said circuit by virtue of the presence of both said leading-in wires or the absence of at least one of them.

9. In combination with -s'tem-n'r'aking apparatus havinga movable head for holdinga pair ofleadengageable by said wires, means engaging and electrically inter-connecting other portions of said leading-in wires, and means to electrically connect said leading-in wires through said con tact fingers in an electrical test circuit including means for determining the continuity of said circuit by virtue of the presence of both said leading-in wires or the absence of at least one of them.

tus'having a movable head for holding a pairof leading-in wires, apparatus for indicating the presence or absence of the leading-in wires in the head comprising a guide located along the path of movement of the head in a position to be located between portions of the leading-in" wires to make "an electrical connection therebetwe'en, .means engaging the insulated opposed portions of presence or absence of the leading-in wires in the head comprising a guide located along the path of movement of the head inia position to be located between portions of the leading-in wires and to be wiped thereby during said movement, the guide having opposed portions of asection of its length insulated frornthe "remainder for making electrical connections to said por- -tions 'of the leading-in wires, a second "guide 10- "cated a long said path in'a position to be located between other portions of the leading-in wires during said movement and to be wiped by said portions and thereby make an electrical connection therebetween, movable brushes located adjacent the insulated opposed portions of the firstmentioned guide and adapted to be brought into engagement therewith for connecting said insulated portions and portions of the 'leading-in'wires and the second guide in a test circuit, means for moving the brushes to and from engagement with the insulated portions of the first-mentioned guide, said test circuit including means con- 10. In combination with stem-making apparanected to the brushes for determining the continuity of the test circuit and thereby the presence of both leading-in wires or the absence of either or both of said leading-in wires.

13. In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head for holding a pair of leading-in wires and an exhaust tube, ap-

and to be wiped thereby during said movement,

the guide having opposed portions of a section of its length insulated from the remainder for making electrical connections to said portions of the leading-in wires, a second guide located along said path in a position to be located between other portions of the leading-in wires during said movement and to be wiped by said portions and thereby make an electrical connection therebetween, and means engaging the insulated opposed portions of the first-mentioned guide for connecting said portions and both leading-in wires and the second guide in an electrical test circuit including means for determining the continuity of the test circuit and thereby the presence of both of the leading-in wires or the absence of either or both of said leading-in wires.

11. In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head for holding a pair of leading-in wires, apparatus for indicating the presence or absence of the leading-in wires in the head comprising a guide located along the path of movement of the head in a position to be located between portions of the leading-in wires and to be wiped thereby during said movement, the guide having opposed portions of a section of its length insulated from the remainder for making electrical connections to said portions of the leading-in wires, a second guide located along said path in a position to be located between second portions of the leading-in wires during said movement, resilient contact fingers mounted on the second guide and adapted to engage respective portions of the leading-in wires paratus for controlling the feeding of an exhaust tube to the head dependent on the presence of both or absence of at least one of the leadingin wires in the head comprising a guide located along the path of movement of the head adapted to be wiped byportions of the leading-in wires in the course of said movement, a pair of spaced insulated conductive members constituting terminal portions of said guide and engageable by said wires, means engaging and electrically interconnecting other portions of said leading-in wires, means for causing the feeding of an exhaust tube, and means to electrically connect said leading-in wires through said conductive members in an electrical test circuit including means for controlling the operation of said exhaust tube feeding means in accordance with the presence of both said leading-in wires or the absence of at least one of them.

14.'In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head for holding a pair of leading-in wires and an exhaust tube, apparatus for controlling the feeding of an exhaust tube to the head dependent on the presence or absence of the leading-in wires in the head comprising a guide located along the path of movement of the head in a position to be located between portions of the leading-in wires and to be wiped thereby during said movement, the guide having opposed portions of a section of its length insulated from the remainder for making electrical connections to said portions of the leadingin wires, a second guide located along said path in position to be located between other portions of the leading-in wires during said movement, and to be wiped by said second portions and thereby make an electrical connection therebetween, means engaging the opposed insulated portions of the first-mentioned guide for connecting said portions and portions of the leadingin Wires and the second guide in a test circuit, and means for causing the feeding of an exhaust tube, said test circuit including means for determining the continuity of the test circuit and thereby controlling the operation of the lastmentioned means to allow or prevent the feeding of an exhaust tube when both leading-in wires are present or at least one is absent.

15. In combination with stem-making apparatus having a movable head for holding in spaced approximately parallel relation a pair of leadingin wires and adapted to be carried to a plurality of stations, testing apparatus for determining th presence of the said wires or the absence of at least one of them, said testing apparatus being located at a testing station occupied by said head in its course of movement and comprising spaced contact means adapted to be engaged by portions of respective ones of said wires during the dwell of said head at said testing station, means contacting other portions of said wires to electrically connect them in series between said contact means at least during the dwell of said head at said testing station, and means electrically connecting said wires through said contact means in an electrical test circuit including means for determining the continuity of th circuit by virtue of the presence of both said wires or the absence of at least one of them.

LEE E. DILTS'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 'file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 

